Umbren Entered the garden and spotted Kagi tending to her attoka, which looked overjoyed to see her. The attoka Umbren brought stood nearby at the base of the tree watching him enter with a nod.
It was way more than Umbren had gotten when they had first met. If their relationship was the same as it was then, Umbren didn't know if the attoka would even look at him.
As Umbren walked to where they stood he waded through the Noctils that seemed to grow brighter than ever, giving the scene before him a ephemeral beauty. This was especially emphasized by the quarter moon that shone on the grove.
As Umbren took it all in, memories came flooding back. Ones of laying amongst the flowers as if he had not a worry in the world. He remembered Alyze with her golden eyes that seemed to light up whenever her interest spiked.
With these images in his head, Umbren hesitated and looked back at the entrance.
The bond was still there, but he could not feel it as strongly as when he was face to face with her. He reached inside himself focusing all his concentration on it.
He felt a sense of sadness and loss, but also dread for what was to come.
Umbren smiled to himself. They were almost the exact same things that he was feeling, though he also had a newfound resolve.
"Umbren what are you doing?"
He shook his head. There really was no turning back now, and besides he couldn't abandon his duty.
He looked towards the small girl looking back at him.
Besides, there were people relying on him now. He didn't know how many, but he knew of one, and that was enough.
"It's nothing. Sorry for making you wait Mistress."
"I know that saying goodbye might have been hard for you, but we need to be looking forward now."
Umbren approached his attoka, "Your just scared of what we're about to do, aren't you?"
Kagi's cheeks went red with frustration or maybe embarrassment, "Why wouldn't I!? It's a stupid plan and you know it! Really we should just try our luck at trying to sneak around the village."
"You know that they'll spot us, and must likely pursue. Don't you remember the last time that happened? We don't have our Lady to protect us this time."
Kagi suddenly went quiet as if some unpleasant memories started to surface.
Umbren tried to think of a way to make her feel better, "Just imagine what your sisters will think when you tell them the story of how you escaped from a luxcian village. No doubt you'll be one of the most talked about Hand."
she gave a dry smile, "Hopefully the story isn't exciting in the slightest."
"It won't if we're able to talk our way out of it. I don't think we'll have too much of a problem with that," He lied.
Kagi sighed, "Let's just hope that you made a deep enough friendship with those two. I have a feeling that we might need them to bail us out."
Umbren remembered his last words to Jarvus. He was starting to regret them a little more now. He hadn't taken what Kagi had said into consideration when he was debating on whether he was going to tell him or not.
"Hey what's that face for?"
"It's nothing, don't worry."
Kagi didn't look like she believed him but gave a shrug anyway and turned her attention back to her attoka, "Just tell me when you're ready and we'll go. I'm not in a hurry to do what we're going to do, but don't take a long time."
Umbren nodded and turned back to the attoka. He carefully held his hand out. The attoka looked at him confused, but didn't appear to be against it. Umbren laid his hand on the attoka's head and started to rub it. It's long pointy ears moved back and forth with the motion of his hand.
Before, he probably would have never let Umbren do such a thing. If he tried the attoka would probably try to run him through with his antlers that could easily pass for horns.
Umbren looked into its white eyes. It's cat-like face looked intently back at him as if knowing what was coming next.
Umbren hoped he did because if not it would be really awkward, "What we're about to do is really dangerous. Any wrong move could force both of us into an early grave. What happened the other day can't happen again."
The attoka looked at Umbren as if he had said the wrong thing.
"It's not like I'm saying that it was all your fault. I'm also to blame. It was both our faults, and going forward I think we'll have many more chances to share the blame. If this plan works out, that is."
Umbren stared directly into those white eyes, "Are you ready?"
Fortunately for Umbren the attoka seemed to understand as he bowed his head and closed his eyes. He appeared to know what the process entailed.
Umbren also knew how to carry out the ritual. Though he hoped he didn't pass out this time.
He focused and concentrated on the part that was deepest inside both of them. A blurry purple line was made clear in his head. Also in the space was a clear purple line, intertwined with a clear yellow line.
At the sight of his own and Alyze's soul he could feel the bond as if they were both in the same room. He wondered what would happen if he had done this when they were actually close together. Would he be able to feel the bond even more?
Umbren noticed that his own line was longer and now extended beyond where Alyze's was connected to his. He honed in on only this part for he didn't want to even touch Alyze's soul out of fear for what might happen.
He entangled the portion of his soul that he was focused on with the blurry line that was also in the space. His skin started to feel ice cold, but he also felt as if a fire raged inside himself threatening to set him alight.
Despite this he kept pushing, and pushing, and pushing, and just when he thought that the cold and heat might overwhelm him, it was done. He didn't know how he knew, but he knew that it was finished.
When Umbren opened his eyes he felt a bit dizzy, but that was about it. Nothing like he felt when he had bonded with Alyze.
The attoka on the other hand appeared to be refreshed.
Umbren backed away and for a moment it was as if they both smiled at each other.
It was short lived though, as the attoka's smile turned to one of indignation. It sort of reminded Umbren of when they had first met.
Umbren was a little irritated by this, "What's wrong with you now Grimel."
He was shocked at the word that came out of his mouth. It was as if he had always known the name, and it wasn't even a question whether it was the attoka's or not.
Kagi gave a light hearted laugh, "He must sense your other bond."
Umbren looked at her then looked back at Grimel. That would make sense. He could see no reason why the attoka couldn't sense his other bond. Though Umbren didn't think that he was simply angry about him bonding with Alyze. Despite Dorcha Attoka usually despising luxcians, he seemed to have warmed up to her quite a lot.
As Umbren was thinking about these things, he realized something about their bond. That gave him the answer.
He gave a wry smile, "You're jealous aren't you?
Despite Umbren being this close to Grimel he still had to try to detect his anger. If Alyze was this close, he wouldn't have to try at all. Her emotions would just come naturally to him.
Grimel turned his head away from Umbren.
"Don't be like that. Just because our bond might be weaker than mine with her, it doesn't make it only less meaningful. Well that might be a lie."
Umbren could hear Grimel snort definitely.
"Okay, okay, okay, our bond is special in it's own way, and it will probably grow from here."
The same probably went for his bond with Alyze, but he wasn't going to see her again for a very long time, so who knew.
Grimel slowly turned back towards Umbren.
"You can scold me for making a bond with her later. I know it was a little dumb and rash of me, but right now we have more pressing issues."
Was it really dumb? A part of him said otherwise.
Umbren could tell Grimel had accepted that and got onto his back.
Kagi rode up next to him, "You know I remember when I bonded with Thendle. I met him when I was being punished and had to clean out the stables."
"As much as I would like to ask why you were being punished, we've already spent enough time here. The sooner we get this over with the better."
Kagi stooped in her saddle, "I guess that's one way to put it."
The two rode through the forest each with worry heavy on their minds. In truth both thought the plan had a low likelihood to succeed.
As they broke through the last line of trees they came upon Lucel.
Kagi moved around on her saddle, "Are you sure about this Umbren? There has to be a better option."
"There probably is, but we don't have time to figure it out, come on."
Umbren knew that if he let Kagi even a moment to doubt the plan it would increase its chances of failure exponentially.
As the two entered the town through the main road, two guards were their to greet them.
"Who goes there! State your business."
Umbren took a deep breath, "Just passing through."
"Where may you be…"
Umbren and Kagi's black cloaks were caught in the moonlight and the beast they rode walked out of the shadows.
One of the guards went pale, and froze in place. The other was older and grimaced, "Bloody hell! Run!" The one next to him didn't seem to hear, so the other guard hit him with his spear, "Run you idiot! Run!"
The older man ran off into the town, and only when he was gone did the younger guard take notice, running after him, stumbling over himself as he went.
Kagi looked to Umbren as if to question if he still wanted to follow through with their plan.
Umbren spurred Grimel on, "We shouldn't have expected anything less, but I did have some hope."
When they rode into town, the pair could hear the guards that greeted them and the screams and turmoil that came with their warnings. "Everyone take shelter! Nocturnals come in the night! Protect your children and your loved ones!"
That was the older guard, the younger was more frantic, "They were Hounds! They were bloody Hounds. Luxcian protect us!
Umbren slowed his pace as to look as harmless as possible, "Just stay alert. We both knew we wouldn't just walk out of here without being stopped."
"I was actually hoping for that."
As they walked down the main road of Lucel they could see the remnants of items from people that had been on the road late at night. All the curtains on every single building had been drawn, and an eerie quiet settled where the warning from the guards had been.
It amazed him that even the traveling merchants would have listened and had taken shelter. Though based on what Alyze had told him, their kind was not viewed in a very friendly light.
When the two got past the town square, Umbren remembered his fight with the mayor and hoped that another one wouldn't break out. In the square was where things looked the most uncanny. Merchants stands stood unattended with their wares out in the open for any to take. Shards of broken bottles were scattered everywhere from people who had dropped them in their haste to take shelter.
As the two were passing the biggest house in the village, the sound of footsteps rang through the night. The sound came from in front and behind the pair. Not only that, but Umbren could hear the jostling of weapons and other equipment.
Kagi noticed archers getting in place on the tops of rooftops to both sides of them.
As guards came around the corner to the front and behind them, Umbren stopped and Kagi followed his lead. They were now surrounded in front of the house.
"How dare you Nocturnals walk into my town. Your temerity will be your downfall."
The voice was filled with spite and came from the man walking down the steps up the house.
Umbren made sure that his hood covered his face, even though his face was completely covered when they had met. The mayor glared at the two. Umbren believed it might even be enough to bring some people to their knees.
Umbren raised his voice, but tried to make it sound as gentle as he possibly could, "We don't mean any harm."
The mayor's glare deepened, "No harm. No harm! What do you take me for? A fool? Wherever you Nocturnals go you bring death and destruction that is your nature. For what other reason would you be here except for that!"
Umbren put up his hands and Kagi copied him, "We are just passing through. We do not mean to bring bloody chaos onto your village."
The mayor jabbed his finger at the tenebrage as if sentencing them, "You can not trick me. I know why you're here. You're hunting your prey, and I will tell you this only once. He is under my protection, and nothing you do will change that. Not that you will have the chance to anyway."
Umbren spoke calmly, "We have no interest in General Amian. We are jus..."
The mayor cut him off, "You dare lie to me! No Nocturnal would simply walk into a village just to, 'pass through,' his eyes narrowed, "You're lucky I didn't shoot that girl off that thing the moment I laid eyes on her, especially after the story I've heard."
Kagi tilted her head, "Me?"
The mayor was about to speak up once more…
"No Mr. Mayor, they are telling the truth in that regard. These Nocturnals are different. Quite interesting indeed. Mr. Mayor, I can't help but wonder why your village would attract such guests."
Kagi's gaze was starting to drift to an archer on the rooftop; he already had an arrow knocked aimed at the two. She was about to send curses to him in her head, but...he vanished.
Just like that. One moment he was there, the next he wasn't
The guards on the ground made way for a man in a silver military coat and a look in his eye that would unsettle anyone he looked at, for something almost murderous resided in them.
Umbren's composure at the entrance of the man almost broke.
He wasn't wearing his scaled armor or carrying a weapon but there was no mistaking who he was. He knew he was in the village but he never imagined meeting him again.
Umbren's thoughts again went to his hood. Would Dilem see through it. If he did, would he remember Umbren? What would he do if he did? If he didn't?
The mayor did not look delighted over Dilem's arrival, but he went forth nonetheless, "Even if that is the case..."
Umbren spoke up once more, struggling to keep his voice steady, "We do not want to fight, and I'm sure you don't either."
Dilem sounded as if he was having the time of his life, "Then again they do wear the black. I would love to see how a Hand compares to the one we discussed. Also Mr. Mayor would a Hound of Mortis just be, 'passing through?"
Umbren grimaced. He knew the rumors relating to the Hounds. They were lucky that they didn't pin Kagi as one. What else was Umbren expecting wearing this cloak. If he denied the accusation, he would only make them believe that they actually did have some ulterior motive.
The mayor's eyes blew up with rage, and also some other complex emotion behind them. He raised his hand to command his guards, and right before Umbren was going to do something drastic…
The mayor grabbed his head and hurled over in overwhelming pain.
"They are not causing harm to anyone, mayor. Why should we engage them?"
The mayor gritted his teeth, "Aly..ze..."
Umbren was surprised by her entrance. He was so preoccupied with other worries that he had not noticed her presence. He didn't have to feel their bond to tell how she felt. She looked disgusted.
While this was happening Kagi attention was still held by the rooftops. Every time she would lock onto an archer he would disappear in the blink of an eye. Once they were all gone from one side, it started to happen to the guards on the rooftops on the other side of the road.
"A girl huh?" She mumbled to herself.
No one seemed to hear her, as everyone was shocked by Alyze's actions.
Dilem had a face that said that his fun was ruined, "And who might you be?"
Alyze looked up at him, her golden eyes had a certain glow to them that could even be seen in the night.
A wide grin broke on the general's face, "Oh...what do we have here?"
Alyze glared at Dilem, "That's none of your business."
The mayor cursed despite the pain, "Dammit Alyze...why di...did you show...up now...with him here."
Alyze let go of her hold over his mind and he slowly stood up. She maintained her glare even on him.
"Alyze, what are you doing? Don't you see what they are?"
Alyze folded her arms, "I see perfectly clear. They are Nocturnals that are just passing through. Nocturnals that mean no harm and don't want a fight."
"How do you believe them?"
"How do you not?"
Dilem flaunted his hands walking closer to the tenebrage. Umbren lowered his head as he drew nearer, "There is an obvious solution to this. All we have to do is look around in the beast's head to see what he really intends. Hmm?"
This time the mayor and Alyze both glared at him.
The mayor spoke up first, "You must really be insane. That might be a death wish for all we know. We have no idea how many more are around us. If we do something like that we will have casualties."
Alyze sighed arrogantly, "That is exactly why we should let them go. There are too many unknowns."
The mayor seemed to accept that.
Dilem threw up his hands, "C'mon really. Just like that. You're going to let two black cloaks go," he spat on the ground, "You really are no fun Mr. Mayor. I'm warning you there will be consequences."
The mayor shook his head as Dilem stomped off towards the house adjacent to his.
Umbren made sure he was well away until he spoke again, "Thank you mayor I am forever in your debt. Few men would make the choice you have today."
He really wanted to get out of the situation no matter how much it took. He hoped he didn't sound disingenuous.
The mayor still held his glare on them, "I will let you leave on one condition. You will give up your weapons. No one that is just 'passing through' is that heavily armed."
Umbren bowed on his attoka, "As you wish."
He really didn't care at this point. He quickly threw the sheaths that held his knives at the mayor's feet.
As the mayor picked the knives up and examined them, Umbren went for his kukri. With every motion the spearmen surrounding him jerked a little. Just when Umbren was thinking about what excuse he would make for keeping Yorburn's sword, he heard the sound of metal clang on the stone road.
Fury rose in the mayor's face. More so than Umbren had ever seen. How would those knives…
"You filthy, vile, little rat!"
Umbren jumped down from his attoka and Kagi followed, despite being in almost a trance the moment before.
He had been careless. His knives were the only thing that would make the mayor recognize him from their previous encounter.
The two attoka ran through a gap in the guards line. The two beasts knew what their masters intended.
At the two tenebrage's sudden movement, the guards closed in with their spears.
Umbren cursed himself, and looked to Kagi to apologize, but to him she looked quite pleasant without an ounce of concern on her face, "What are you..."
Alyze was shocked at how quickly things had spiraled out of control, and thus couldn't form a thought of what to do.
The mayor yelled at the top of his lungs, "Archers! Shoot those wretched creatures before they bring more here."
Nothing happened.
After a moment the mayor looked around, "Archers?"
The guards advanced around the tenebrage. Umbren unsheathed his kukri, and Kagi took two twin sai out of their scabbards, but she still didn't look worried at all.
As Umbren was grasping at ideas of how to get out of the situation because the two of them could definitely not take on the large number of guards around them, he heard a sound as if someone had been forced to the ground.
The guards' encirclement broke as a portion of them backed away from the source of the noise.
Through them Umbren could see a hooded figure in a black cloak on top of them with two kukris in their backs. The two men, unmoving as they had tasted death instantly.
The figure looked up, and he was greeted with the face of a girl with an eyepatch.